Results 9,061-9,080 of 11,795 for speaker:Niall Collins

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Yes.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: To answer the Deputy's second question first, I am probably constrained in providing an opinion as it would only be my own personal opinion. I do not want to do a disservice to the process that will arrive at the ultimate decision. Suffice it to say that the Minister, Deputy Harris, has said on the record a number of times that this is the elephant in the room. The issue has been knocking...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: We can get the Deputy a note on that.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: There are demographic pressures. Small increases related to demographic changes were built into our budget for next year. We will get the Deputy a detailed note on the matter.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (8 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: I thank the Deputy for the question. Approximately two weeks ago, the Minister and I held a Zoom conference with the presidents and heads of all of the universities, institutes of technology and institutions funded through the HEA. The main part of the discussion related to a request by us to the colleges, insofar as possible in light public health guidance, the public health advice...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (9 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together. The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (10 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: 236. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding VAT on a product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42746/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Administration (10 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Arrangements which are in place since 2016 within the Department of Education to facilitate the provision of information, from State Bodies, to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, continue to apply in my Department on foot of the transfer of functions in October 2020.  Aegis body contact details are reviewed at regular intervals and as required updates are provided to the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (10 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Apprenticeship in Ireland has undergone significant reform and expansion over the past 5 years.  In this period, 34 new apprenticeship programmes across all sectors of the economy including new and growing areas – cybersecurity, CGI technical artistry, accountancy, supply chain management, manufacturing technology, and biopharma – have been designed and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: 421. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a HSE response in relation to a referral for a person (details supplied) graded as urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42649/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year. The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant challenges they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Colleges (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) allocated funding of €1.72m to Monaghan Institute from their overall funding allocation received from SOLAS in 2020. This funding is used to support the range of Post Leaving Certificate, apprenticeship, traineeship and other provision delivered by Monaghan Institute across a range of subject areas. My Department provides funding...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Apprenticeship in Ireland has undergone significant reform and expansion over the past 5 years. The introduction of consortia-led apprenticeship development has resulted in the delivery of 34 new programmes across all sectors of the economy, with a further 19 in development. Programmes now range in duration from two to four years and lead to qualifications at QQI levels 5-10 on the National...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: A retrofitting centre of excellence is already underway in Waterford, Wexford Education and Training Board (ETB) while a further four ETBs are planning to have centres of excellence up and running in the first quarter of 2021. These are, Limerick Clare, Cork, Mayo Sligo Leitrim, and Laois Offaly, with further discussion on additional Dublin and Galway facilities. It is anticipated that...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Officials in my Department have enquired with Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) regarding this matter. DDLETB currently offers training centre programmes in the Fingal area through Baldoyle Training Centre. The Training Centre facilitates over 2,500 learner beneficiaries annually. Programmes are offered on-site in Baldoyle and also across a range of locations in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: The Deputy will be aware that there are some important differences in costs of attending PLC programmes versus higher education institutions. The only centrally determined payment for the PLC programme is the €200 PLC participant contribution. This amount is not payable by persons with a medical card, as well as a number of other categories. Approximately 60% of learners on PLC...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: SOLAS Administration (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Safe Pass training is delivered by private training organisations which have been approved by SOLAS. Course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses or in influencing pricing structure within the market place. The maximum number of participants that can attend a Safe Pass course was reduced...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Officials in my Department have contacted Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) in relation to this matter. At present there are several options available to school leavers through the further education and training services provided by CETB in close proximity to Ballincollig. The Ballincollig Youthreach centre provides two years integrated education, training and work experience for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further Education and Training Programmes (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: Fostering Inclusion is one of the three core pillars around which the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024 is built. The FET sector is committed to increasing levels of inclusion through the provision of high quality, accessible and flexible education and training programmes and supports suited to the identified needs of individuals, with the aim of enabling every citizen...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (15 Dec 2020)

Niall Collins: The Programme for Government has committed to taking the lead on boosting the availability and uptake of apprenticeships, by providing government apprenticeship schemes. Apprenticeship is an employer led offering. As such, and given the employment status of apprentices, apprentices will need to be included within public sector employment ceilings where these exist. Apprenticeships should...